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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 



DELIVERED AT 



NEVTCASTLE, N.H. ' 



NOV. 25, 1849, 



BY LUCIUS ALDEN. 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST, 



PORTSMOUTH: 

PRINTED BY C. W. BREWSTER. 

1849. 



rLv4 



The Records of the Church previous to 17 78 having been lost, the fol- 
iowiug Discourse is chiefly compiled from Bancroft, Prince, N. Adams. 
T, Aldan, Moody, Barber, Harvard Catalogue, Quarterly Register, &c. 



■^^ yj^s^ , 



7 



DISCOURSE 



PSALMS 78 : 2, 3, 4. 

" I will utter dark sayings of old : which we have heard and known, 
and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, 
showing to the generations to come the praises of the Lord, and his 
strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done." 

The Father of spirits has constituted us suscepti- 
ble of connecting our thoughts and sympathies with 
those removed from us by time or space. Retracing 
the past, we associate with former generations, and 
from " the cloud of witnesses with which we are 
encompassed," receive the most sahitary lessons of 
instruction. 

History, both secular and sacred, is presented to 
our view as a majestic temple, on which the invisible 
hand of the Divine Architect is at work, as it towers 
aloft to his glory. Hence it becomes a sacred duty 
thus to observe and proclaim his benevolent and 
irresistable agency — a duty enjoined by the Psalmist 
in the text, from his own example, and elsewhere in 
the inimitably beautiful strains of inspired poetry, 
thus : " Walk about Zion and go round about her : 
tell the towers thereof Mark ye well her bulwarks, 
consider her palaces : that ye may tell it to the gen- 
eration following. For this God is our God for ever 
and ever." 



In pursuing the subject thus suggested in general 
terms, that branch of it will be presented, pertaining 
to the church in this place from the period of its 
settlement in the year 1623. 

The settlement of the colonies of New England, 
generally by English emigrants, may be viewed as 
,one of the important results of the great moral revo- 
lution in Europe in the 16th century. At that mem- 
orable period arose those distinguished champions of 
religious liberty; of spiritual independence. Their 
principles, cherished indeed during the brief, but 
glorious reign of the youthful Edward VI, in the 
murderous grasp of the bigoted Mary, were brought to 
the ordeal of the fires of Smithfield. And though the 
illustrious Elizabeth, fascinated as she was with the 
pomp of a magnificent ritual, gave the royal sanction 
to the odious Acts of Uniformity, yet the Courts of 
High Commission, and the Star Chamber found it 
impossible to subdue the spirit of brave and consci- 
entious men. James I, from his throne, declaring 
them " worthy of fire and sword," they are confined 
in dungeons, loaded with irons, or called to " resist 
unto blood," in their strife with bigotry and super- 
stition. 

Their hopes for the enjoym 3nt of religious fi-eedom 
at home being thus blasted, they sought that, in exile, 
dearer to their hearts than life itself And as they 
leave the homes of their childhood and the graves 
of their fathers, what a constellation of stars the 
brightest, rises on this Western hemisphere ! 



In all their moral grandeur, beaming on the saga- 
cious vision of the learned historian of the mother 
country, he thus records, — " The precious spark of 
liberty had been kindled and was preserved by them 
alone." Nor was the statement of the venerable 
Norton of Boston, in 1659, less truthful than quaint: 
" It concerneth New England always to remember, 
that originally, they are a plantation religious, and 
not a plantation of trade." In its general application 
this will not be questioned ; yet it is affirmed that the 
reverse is true, as regards the settlement commenced 
in this place in 1623. 

Doubtless the leading object of the earliest emi- 
grants to this place was the acquisition of wealth. 
This is but too truly evinced by their remissness in 
establishing the institutions of religion. Yet when 
those precious institutions were here established, their 
foundation was laid on the rock of everlasting ages! 

" The Sower who then went forth to sow," having 
sifted the noblest nations on earth to gather out the 
choice grain, did not exhaust its profusion around 
the rock of Plymouth, nor yet at Shawmut,* Naum- 
keag,t or Nauset, broadcast; it also fell on the pro- 
pitious soil of the beautiful Laconia, (as this province 
was called.) And the ve-^erable worthies who found- 
ed the first church here, the Cutts, Stileman, Martyn, 
Moody and others, deserve a place on the same scroll 
with the names of the Pilgrims of Plymouth and the 
Fathers of Boston, Salem and Ipswich. They all 



*Boston. fSalem. 



had " one Lord, one faith, one baptism." They had 
all drunk at the same fount of infinite love. And 
the church here planted was " a noble vine, wholly 
a right seed." This, perhaps, may more fully appear 
in the sequel of this discourse. 

While, evidently, the rehgious principle was earlier 
and more fully developed at Plymouth than at this 
place, still those sister colonies were bound to each 
other by the strongest ties of sympathy and charity. 
The former, in a state of famine, as described by Gov. 
Winslow, when " he had seen men stagger from 
faintness, for want of food," sent Capt. Miles Standish 
here, in 1623, where he was hospitably received, 
amply supplied, and courteously attended on his re- 
turn, by David Thompson, the leader of this colony. 

The Ecclesiastical history of Newcastle, previous 
to the close of the 1 7th century, is chiefly identified 
with that of Portsmouth, as they constituted but one 
town, and were united in the same church. In the 
Annals of the latter, in 1640 there is mention of a 
glebe, with a parsonage house, and chapel furnished 
with Bible, service books and communion articles, 
sent over by Capt. John Mason. An Episcopal cler- 
gyman. Rev. Edward Gibson, was employed, and 
subsequently Messrs. Parker, Brown and others. 

In 1657 a meetinghouse was built in the south 
part of the town. And in 1671 a church was orga- 
nized and the Rev. Joshua Moody ordained as pastor. 
He had then labored here 13 years. The members 
thus to be united in a church, after much familiar 



converse with each other, by fasting and prayer, 
devoutly sought the Divine direction ; also the advice 
of several churches and the approval of the civil 
authorities. At the appointed time, there were con- 
vened the representatives of the churches in Cam- 
bridge, Ipswich, Rowley and 11 ampton ; also Gov. 
Leverett, of Massachusetts, and other magistrates. 
The pastor elect preached a sermon from Ezek. 48: 25, 
" The name of the city, from that day, shall be, the 
Lord is there." The church was then organized and 
the covenant subscribed by nine persons, viz : Joshua 
Moody, John Cutt, Richard Cutt, Ehas Stileman, 
Richard Martyn, Samuel Haines, James Pendleton, 
John Fletcher and John Tucker. Some of these 
resided at Newcastle, viz : Hon. Elias Stileman, Sec- 
retary of the Province, a member of the Council and 
Commander of the Fort, probably also James Pen- 
dleton. Rev. Mr. Moody was then ordained, and 
Samuel Haines set apart as a deacon. For several 
years the church flourished, the pastor living in har- 
mony with the people of his charge, and securing 
the confidence of the community generally. And 
thus it might have continued, but for the arbitrary 
interference of the royal Governor, Edward Cranfield, 
who resided at Newcastle. The Collector of the port 
having seized a vessel for a violation of the laws of 
trade, and the owner being accused of false swearing 
concerning it, was prosecuted, but having satisfied 
the public authorities, legal proceedings against him 
were stopped. But being a member of the church. 



8 

the pastor called on the Governor for evidence of his 
fault, in order to present it to the church. The Gov- 
ernor forbid his doing this. The pastor, however, 
preached a sermon on the evil of false swearing, and 
the offender acknowledged his fault. The Governor, 
greatly irritated at this, to inflict his resentment on 
the pastor, sent him a written notice by the sheriff, 
that he and others designed to partake of the Lord's 
supper on the next Sunday, and demanding that it be 
administered according to the ritual of the Church 
of England. The pastor refused, and being arrested, 
urged in his defence before the Court, that he was 
not authorized thus to do, not having been Episco- 
pally ordained ; also that the statutes of Uniformity 
were not in force in this country. He was, however, 
convicted and sentenced to be imprisoned six months 
without bail. 

And what a scene was presented on the very spot 
where we now stand ! On the Bank above, now the 
site of you beautiful city, rose the modest mansion 
of the pastor, and clustering around it, the humble 
dweUings of his flock. It is now mid-winter. Per- 
haps with the bleak winds of the morning, is heard 
the sweet voice of praise from the household altar. 

" Then kneeling down to heaven's eternal King, 
The saint, the husband and the father prays, 
Hope springs exulting, on triumphant wing, 
That thus they all shall meet in future days." 

The sheriff enters — the man of God is arrested un- 
resisting, as the lamb led to the slaughter ; he is taken 



on board the sldft; and gliding rapidly down yon 
river, is soon opposite the town. From his splendid 
mansion in Newcastle, stored with the means of Jiix- 
iirious indulgence, and surrounded by kindred spirits, 
the royal Governor, as he glances his eye over yon 
spacious harbor, beholds the victim of his resentment 
completely within his iron grasp! He seizes his pen 
and addresses a note to Hev. Seaborn Cotton, of 
Hampton. Its purport, according to the historian, is 
this : that " when he has prepared his soul, he will 
come and demand the sacrament of him as he had 
done here." 

They have now arrived at Fort Point. The pris- 
oner climbs the ice-clad rocks, above which stands 
the frowning Castle ; the massive bolts and bars are 
shoved back, and he cheerfully enters, who, in the 
language of Dr. Mather of Boston, "had the honour 
to be the first that suffered in that way and for that 
cause in these parts of the world." The inmates of 
the prison gaze on the unwonted spectacle. As those 
around the martyr Stephen, " Looking steadfastly on 
him, they saw his face as it had been the face of an 
angel." Though not allowed to visit his family, yet 
permitted to correspond .with his friends, he thus 
writes to Rev. Samuel Phillips, of Rowley : 

From tjij: Prison, 27lh 1st mo. (O. S.) 1684. 

Rev. and Dear Sir : — Your epitille caine to hand. Blessed 

be God for your sympathy. T have liberty from Mr. IMason. 

There is no danger of your coming and preaching. Oh ! 

consider that my poor flock have fasted about 40 days, and 

2 



10 

must now be hungered. Have pity on them : you will not 
only visit me in prison, but feed a multitude of hungry little 
ones in Christ. 

I do also, in behalf of my dear and tender wife, thank you 
for yours to her. 

Pray for me that I may have a humble heart: that my 
spirit may be sanctified and kept blameless. That my place 
of imprisonment maybe as at Patmos — a place, where I 
may be in the spirit, not only on the Lord's day, but every 
day : that I may so demean myself that God's glory, my 
own edification and salvation may be the fruit of my impris- 
onment. The good Lord be with you and yours, and with 
all the ministers in this Western world, that they may work 
while the day lasts ; and if the cup must go round, that every 
one may be prepared to receive it out of a Father's hand.* 

Mr. William Vaughan, having also incurred the 
displeasure of the arbitrary Governor, was imprison- 
ed, at the same time. In his journal, he thus writes, 
in quaint language, but with a pious spirit : " But 
above all, our minister lies in prison, and a famine of 
God's word coming upon us. No public worship, 
no preaching of the word, what ignorance, what 
profaneness must ensue ! The Sabbath is come, but 
no preaching at the Bank,t nor any allowed to come 
to us. Motions have been made that Mr. Moody 
may go up and preach on the Lord's day, though he 
come down to the prison at night, or that the people 
might come down to the prison and hear, as many 
as could, but nothing will do. Good Mrs. Martin 



* Moody's Sketches. 

t Portsmouth was then so familiarly called. 



11 

was buried, being not able to live one Sabbath after 
the shutting up the doors of the sanctuary." After 
being confined thirteen weeks, at the solicitation of 
his friends, Mr. IMoody was released, with a charge 
to preach no more in the Province, on penalty of 
farther imprisonment. He removed to Boston, and 
was employed a*s an assistant minister in the first 
church there. 

In 1685, Gov. Cranfield left Newcastle, and re- 
turned to England, and at the request of the former 
people of his charge, Mr. Moody returned in 1693, 
and resumed his ministerial labors. From intense 
application to study and the burden of parochial 
labors his health declining, he repaired to Boston for 
medical aid, and there, on the Sabbath, July 4, 1697, 
he departed this life, in the 65th year of his age. 

He was born in England, 1633, graduated at 
Harvard College, 1653, was a member of the church 
in Cambridge, under the pastoral care of the re- 
nowned and Rev. Thomas Shepherd, was one of 
the Fellows of the College, and on the decease of 
President Rogers, in 1684, was elected to the office 
of President, which, however, be declined. En- 
dowed with powers of intellect, vigorous, compre- 
hensive, and discriminating, united with a spirit, 
benevolent, candid, firm, and independent, he 
rose superior to the superstitions and fanatical 
opinions of those times. Through his merciful and 
judicious interposition, some of those unfortunate 
persons accused of witchcraft were saved from an 



12 

ignominious death. He stood firm in denance of 
popular prejudice. 

On his death-bed, to a minister tliat visited him, 
he remarked that he was " rejoicing in hope of the 
glory of God!" — longing to go to the precious 
Christ, whose spirit had taken from him the fear of 
death. Bis friend observed — " Christ is going to 
take your garments of flesh and clothe you with the 
garments of heavenly glory, and give you a place 
among his angels !" VMth transport he replied, " I 
believe it ! — / believe it /" and then calmly expired^ 
His memory is deservedly cherished, and should be 
embalmed in the hearts of the friends of truth, of 
sound learning, of pure religion, and spiritual inde- 
pendence. 

Newcastle was incorporated in 1693, and about 
the same time Rev. Samuel Moody, son of the 
preceding, was employed here as a preacher, and 
afterwards at the Isles of Shoals. Relinquishing the 
clerical profession, and assumiing that of a military 
officer, he was commander in an expedition against 
the Indians at the Eastward. In 1705, he was sta- 
tioned at St. John's Fort, in jNewfoundland, and in 
1709 at Casco. He corresponded with Father Ralle, 
French Catholic missionary, at Norridgewock, and 
was repeatedly the organ of communication between 
the Indians and our Government, during the war. 
He was finally located at Falmouth, now Portland, 
Me. and was regarded as the leader of the colony 
there. He had two sons, both born in Newcastle, 



13 

both educated at Harvard, and both settled with their 
father at Portland ; the one a magistrate, the other a 
physician, and both eminently influential and useful 
members of society. Reverend and Major Samuel 
Moody deceased April 5, 1729 

The church in Newcastle was probably organized 
about the beginning of the last century. In 1703, 
the first pastor, Rev. John Emerson, was ordained. 
In 1708, he visited England, and "was handsomely 
noticed by Queen Anne,"* who was then on the 
British throne. In 1712, he was dismissed, and in 
1715, was installed as pastor of the South Church, 
Portsmouth. In 1731, he performed the last of his 
public services, the offering a prayer, at the raising 
of the Old South Church, now standing in Ports- 
mouth. 

He was born in Ipswich, IMass. 1670, graduated at 
Harvard, 1699, and died June 21st, 1732, aged 62. 
There is a monument to his memory in the Proprie- 
tor's Burying Ground. He is represented as an 
agreeable companion and a faithful minister. The 
people of Newcastle, perhaps, attended on his minis- 
try, as formerly, at Portsmouth. On his decease, 
measures were at once adopted to settle a minister 
here — and on Dec. 20th, 1732, Rev. John Blunt was 
ordained as pastor. 

The great revival in the times of Whiteiield occur- 
red during his ministry. In it he felt a deep interest. 



♦Adams' Annals. 



14 

111 a communication from him, published in the 
Cliristian History, and now extant, he thus writes' 
under date July 26th, 1743. " The parish I am set- 
tled in is small ; but God has, I hope, by the influ- 
ences of his gracious spirit, made his word and 
ordinances efiectnal to the convincing and convert- 
ing a considerable number among us. 

The awakening, in months past, was almost uni- 
versal. Fear seemed to fall on every soul, and the 
great inquiry was, " what shall I do to be saved ?" 
And although I have reason to fear the impressions 
are, in a great measure, worn off from some, yet the 
lasting good effects on many, 1 think, are very consid- 
erable, and for which I desire to adore the rich and 
free grace of God. Fif[y have been added to our 
communion in about the space of two years. Most 
of them appear to have their conversation as becom- 
eth the gospel. Some of those who were professors 
before this remarkable day of God's visitation, have 
been of late much quickened and enlivened ; and 
others being convinced of their formality in times 
past, declare how they have felt the power of God's 
grace upon their souls. 

My heart's desire and prayer to God is, that he 
would still more abundantly pour out his spirit upon 
his people and his blessing on their offspring — and 
that all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity 
may have their hearts united, and their hands 
strengthened to promote that " religion which is 
pure and undefiled before God and the Father." 



15 

Kev. Mr. Blunt is kindly and respectfully noticed 
in a communication from Rev. Mr. Shurtleff^, of 
Portsmouth, published in the same periodical.* 

He was born in Andover, Mass. 1706, graduated 
at Harvard, 1727, and died Aug. 7th, 1748, aged 42. 
His remains rest in the grave-yard, opposite this 
church. 

He was succeeded by Rev. David Robinson, of 
Stratham, N. H. born 1716, graduated at Harvard, 
1738, ordained in Newcastle, Oct. 30tii, 1748. His 
ministry was very brief here. He deceased Nov. 
18th, 1749, aged 33. 

The next pastor was Rev. Stephen Chase, who 
was installed here Dec. 5th, 1750. 

It was in the latter part of his ministry that I'ev. 
George Whitefield made his final visit to America, 
and passed the last week of his precious life in this 
vicinity. 

On Friday, Sept. 28th, 1770, two days before his 
death, he preached his last sermon, but one, from 
Mark 17, 15;16. "Go ye into all the world and preach 
the gospel to every creature." 

In compliance with that command, himself had 
crossed the Atlantic thirteen times, and is now trium- 
phantly entering the haven of his eternal rest — " the 
crown of righteousness laid up for him" just about 
to be placed on one " more than a conqueror !" 

Behold him as he then stood in the midst of our 



* Published monthly by T. Prince, Jr. at Boston, and is, perhaps, the 
oldest religious periodical in the United States. 



16; 

fathers — his theme the cross of Christ — his motive 
the glory of God — his ruling passion the love of 
souls— himself a living gospel — his face radiant with 
its benignity — his Hps tremulous with pity, and a 
voice whose breathings of angelic sweetness could 
whisper peace to " the mourner in Zion," or in tones 
of musical thunder thrill the hearts of thousands 
scattered over the Moorfields 'in Old England, or 
densely crowded on Boston Common ! 

Among the multitude that thronged him, was a 
young man of Newcastle, Benjamin Randall, whose 
mind was deeply impressed by the truth he spake — 
or in the words of that interesting youth, as he de- 
scribed the scene, "O, hoAv wonderfully he spake I — 
his soul inflamed with love ! — his heart with pity for 
the sinner ! — his arms expand ! — tears roll from his 
eyes ! — with what power he spake !" 

The Sunday following, Rev. Mr. Chase preached 
at Portsmouth, and the young Randall accompanied 
his pastor. At noon, a messenger is seen in the 
distance, approaching at full speed, and as he rode 
along he cried — " Mr. WIdtefield is dead ! — he died 
this morning, at Newbury, about six o'clock !" To 
use the language of this young man, " his voice, as 
an arrow from the quiver of the Almighty, struck 
through his heart !" Those awful truths, heard from 
lips now sealed in death, gleamed as lightning on 
his agitated bosom ! Overwhelmed with a sense of 
his sins, and the justice of God in his condemnation, 
his mind at length became calm, in meditating on 



17 

the words of the Apostle to the Hebrews : " Now 
once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put 
away sin by the sacrifice of himself." 

In Nov. 1772, he united with this church, under 
the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Chase. 

In 1775, having embraced the principles of the 
" General Baptists," he was baptized by immersion 
at Madbury, N. 11. 

From childhood his mind was pecuUarly suscepti- 
ble of religious impressions. With the ordinary 
advantages for learning, he had acquired a decent 
mercantile education. Having been accustomed to 
exhort, and occasionally to preach, he was ordained 
as an Evangelist, at New Durham, April 5th, 1780, 
and there estabhshed a church, the first of the Free 
Will Baptists ever founded. 

On his monument at New Durham is the follow- 
ing inscription : — " Sacred to the memory of Elder 
Benjamin Randall, the Founder of the Free Will 
Baptist Society in America. He labored in the 
ministry thirty years. He died Oct. 22d, 1808, aged 
59."-^- 

This ancient church in Newcastle, at the advanced 
period of one hundred and fifty years, now beholds 
this vigorous branch comprising more than a thou- 
sand churches and ministers, and rising fifty-five 
thousand members in the United States. 

Rev. Mr. Chase was a native of Newbury, Mass. 
born 1708, graduated at Harvard 1728, ordained at 

♦Life of Randall. 

3 



IS 

Lynn, now Lynnfield, Mass. 1731, but resigned the 
pastoral office there. Idle died in Newcastle in the 
month of Jan. 1778, aged 70. 

This was the period of the American Revolution, 
and the inhabitants were in constant fear of the 
enemy. At one time a British ship of war, lying 
near, threatened to reduce the place to ashes, as it 
had done other maritime towns. Many removed 
back into the country, and carried away their prop- 
erty, or secreted it as well as they could. 

Those, who tarried in the place, observed frequent 
seasons of fasting and prayer. The pecuniary em- 
barassments of the people were severe. And they 
remained destitute of a settled minister till Aug. 15th, 
1784, when Rev. OUver Noble was installed as pas- 
tor of the church. He was a native of Coventry^ 
Conn, born 1736, graduated at Yale College 1757, 
and died in this town, Dec. 15th, 1792, aged 56. He 
is still remembered by the older inhabitants, and was 
the last of the settled pastors in this ancient church. 
After his decease, there being no regular ministry, the 
church and society declined, there being no record 
of the addition of any member for more than 25 
years. 

On the 5th of Nov. 1821, by invitation, several min- 
isters of the vicinity assembled at the house of Henry 
Prescott, Esq. when five persons were admitted to 
the church, three by profession and two by letter ; 
previous to which it was reduced to a single member, 
Mrs. Mehitable White, widow of Capt. Robert White, 



19 

and daughter of Capt. John Simpson, also a descen- 
dant of the ancient Sheafe family. She died Sept. 
13th, 1827, aged 76. How interesting the spectacle 
presented in the person of this venerable disciple ! 
In her youthful days, in the great revival, she had 
seen a multitude flowing to the church " as doves to 
their windows." Successive pastors had been laid 
in the dust, and two generations of their flock had 
gathered around them, in the vast congregation of 
the dead ! 

Of the church, some went out from her, and others 
had gone to their long home ! — She is left alone ! — 
At the age of three score years and ten — the calm 
dignity of the matron blending with the attractive 
graces of the christian in her person, — behold her as 
she still enters the courts of the Most High ! With 
feeble step and attenuated form, she approaches the 
holy altar, consecrated to the God of her fathers ; — 
On it she leans, with her eye of faith " looking to that 
within the vail !" 

Her prayer is heard — a goodly band come to the 
help of the Lord — other and stronger haiids are ex- 
tended to cherish the quivering flame on that hallow- 
ed altar ! She calmly breathes the prayer, " now 
lettest thou thy servant depart in peace;" and, as 
stated by one with her, in her dying hours, after with 
tremulous lips she had sung — 

" When I can read my title clear 
To mansions in the skies" — 



20 

in the triumph of faith, she fell asleep in Jesus ! — 
" Her children rise up and call her blessed." 

The ancient meeting house built, probably, about 
the beginning of the last century, with a bell of superi- 
or tone, sent over from England, and decorated with a 
splendid altar-piece, was taken down in 1828 and 
the present house erected, which for eight years re- 
mained unfinished ; but having been completed in 
the spring of 1836, it was dedicated and a discourse 
was delivered by Rev. A. P. Peabody of Portsmouth. 
The pulpit was supplied awhile, by Rev. Messrs. 
Norris, Phimer and others. In 1839, Rev. James 
Hobart of Berlin, Vt. was employed under the patron- 
age of the N. H. Missionary Society. He was suc- 
ceeded in 1841, by Rev. Joseph P. Tyler, whose val- 
uable labors were suspended by sickness, in July, 
1844, and terminated by death, on the 26th of Dec. 
following, at North Bridgewater, Mass. aged 45. 

Rev. Mr. Tyler was a native of Griswold, Conn, and 
graduated at Brown University, 1823. His ministe- 
rial labors were chiefly devoted in waste places and 
with feeble churches. For his unassuming piety, 
his deep humility, the gentleness of his spirit, and his 
fidelity as a minister of Christ, he, with " the righte- 
ous shall be in everlasting remembrance." The 
Reverend and venerable Jonathan Ward began to 
preach here in Dec. 1844, and continued till April 
1846. 

Among the benefactors of this ancient church may 
be mentioned Mrs. Jane Turell, daughter of Hon. 



21 

John Frost and niece of Sir William Pepperell, Bar- 
onet, who made the bequest of an elegant silver 
communion cup. And Madam Mary Prescott, who 
by her will in 1767 made the bequest of a splendid 
folio bible, with illuminated letters, printed at the 
University of Oxford, 1727. Also John W. Foster, 
Esq. of Portsmouth, who in 1836 made the donation 
of a pulpit bible. 

In the earlier periods, religious instruction was im- 
parted to the young, by public catechisings, held 
statedly by the pastor. 

These having been discontinued, in the year 1819 
a Sabbath School was established by Rev. William 
Goodell, now a missionary at Constantinople, West- 
ern Asia. But having declined, in 1824 it was re- 
vived by Mr. Horace B. Morse and was attended by 
60 or 70 children. This devoted and philanthropic 
young man was a native of Haverhill, N. H., grad- 
uated at Dartmouth College 1823, and was soon 
after appointed a teacher in Portsmouth Academy. 
He was accustomed to visit Newcastle, to conduct a 
religious meeting on the Sabbath, and to teach in the 
Sabbath school. 

On a pleasant morning in June, 1825, he, with 
others, made an excursion to the Isles of Shoals. — 
While there, he spent the time in visiting families 
distributing Tracts, and imparting religious instruc- 
tion. 

On their return, the wind became violent, the sea 
greatly agitated, and soon the boat filled and founder- 



22 

ed, and all on board, 7 persons, perished ! Among 
these, besides Mr. Morse, was Mr. Edwin B. Steevens, 
teacher of the Lancasterian school in Portsmouth, 
and superintendent of the Sunday school in St. John's 
Church, also two ofhis favorite pupils — youths of fair- 
est promise — the sons of Hon. Samuel Cushman. 

The Sabbath previous, Mx. Morse had spent in 
Newcastle, and the Hymn, which he selected to be 
sung seemed prophetic ofhis destiny — 

" Spare us, O Lord, aloud we pray 
Nor let our sun go down at noon ; 
Thy years are one eternal day, 
And must thy children die so soon ?" 

But ah ! that sun so bright with promise, went down 
ere it reached the meridian, and his useful life, was 
thus prematurely cut off at the early age of 21 years. 

It is stated that . as his days drew to a close he 
appeared increasingly " diligent in business, fervent 
in spirit, serving the Lord." "He walked with God, 
and was not, for God took him."* 

Since that time the Sabbath School has been 
continued, and according to the last Annual Report 
comprises one hundred and fifty-three members, of 
whom one hundred and thirty-five are pupils, and 
with a library of three hundred volumes. 

Of the present state of the church and society it is 
needless that much be said. 

On a review, this moral landscape presents succes- 
sive and intermingled light and shade. In regard to 

* Memoir of Morse. 



23 

doctrine and church poUty, the church remains es- 
sentially the same as at its origin. This appears 
from comparing tlie Articles of BeHef and Covenant 
of 1714 with those adopted in 1840. 

The society for some time past has discharged its 
pecuniary obUgations with fidelity and strict punctu- 
ality, and has had a gradual increase of numbers, 
notwithstanding the loss by death of several valuable 
members.^ 

An increasing interest has been manifest in the 
improvement of the young. The attention to the 
preaching of the word is respectful ; frequently 
earnest and solemn. Still there is a want of spiritual 
life — an immediate and entire consecration to the 
cause of the Redeemer, and a readiness to occupy 
the vacant places of those " not suffered to continue 
by reason of death." And the condition of this entire 
community demands a thorough reformation — a 
revival of pure religion, a season of " refreshing from 
the presence of the Lord" — the baptism of the Holy 
Ghost ! And the humble and importunate prayer 
should unceasingly ascend from every heart to Him 
who has the residue of the Spirit — " O Lord revive 

THY WORK !" 



* These were included among 13 of our citizens, wko since the spring 
of 1846, have sailed from this port on their final voyage, and were lost at 
sea or died from home, leaving 11 widows and 39 orphan children. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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